Lukaku has hit the weights

[wythyred]

Let me start this off by saying I am a huge Lukaku fan and I'm not making this thread to hate on him.

However, I am just watching his premier league 100 club on Sky and there is a massive difference in his physique between 2016-17 & this season at United.

He also looked quicker and a bit more explosive than he does now.

The two questions I have is A) Is this Uniteds coaching and more specifically Jose that has instructed this or is it just his natural physical development?

&

B) Has this improved his all round game? or actually had a negative impact.

What's your thoughts guys?

 

[Pexbo]

His game has improved in ways that his physical attributes have little impact.

He’s never been quick over 5 yards, he’s always been like a freight train that takes a stretch to get going and is then unstoppable.

I mention in another thread how Mourinho doesn’t have the confidence in our defence to allow the midfield to sit back and encourage the opposition out of their own half, I think this is something Lukaku would benefit from, having a bit of room to stretch his legs.

 

[el3mel]

In most of his games with Everton when he scores there were loads of space ahead that he can burn some pace in it. This is inapplicable at United as we play against deep down defenders and tight spaces that needs the striker to hold up the ball rather that running towards them in free space.

 

[Sterling Archer]

He has bulked up but he was also a kid then. This looks a bit more normal than say Chicharito who seemed to put on almost an awkward amount of muscle.

Been a couple times this season where Lukaku has put the burners on so I think he’s fine. But I do get where your concern is coming from - a lot of this aesthetics lifting / bulking has become more mainstream. I wonder if there’s any influence there for some of these younger athletes. It may seem obviosu, but I recall Beckham talking about it years ago - wanting to bulk up but noticing a drop in his athletic (football ) ability and cutting down focus on being lean etc

 

[RedStarUnited]

Might even have something to do with the kit colours...I dont think he is that much different

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

Anything long sleeved for me always makes the person look heavier than they are.

So the pictures aren't necessary equivalent.

 

[ROFLUTION]

My opinion is that he believes cookies are flying mid air, which explains his bass-like mouth

 

[Ajaxsuarez]

Why'd you pick that photo when there's literally this one

 

[Henrik Larsson]

http://www.menshealth.co.uk/fitness/romelu-lakuku-the-fittest-footballer-at-the-euros

Or he's just gotten older?

 

[Lennon7]

Doesn’t look that much bigger. Still looks pretty muscley in the first pic.

 

[Hoof the ball]

NFL and NBA athletes lift heavy weights for low reps focusing on power and explosion in their movements. This adds muscle mass to their frame, yes, but it also develops significant power in both upper and lower body which results in quicker acceleration, higher vertical leaps and better overall athleticism. Training and getting bigger isn't the issue. The issue is professional athletes training purely for hypertrophy and muscle mass. Ronaldo squats, bench presses, deadlifts and all the big movements with heavy weights. It maintains his speed, rather than hinders him. It depends how you train.

 

[FujiVice]

And for no reason whatsoever, here's our former number 9, the wonderful Dimitar Berbatov

 

[Damien]

Why'd you pick that photo when there's literally this one

I remember the summer we signed Pogba and he and Lukaku were on holiday together in the states he was already fairly big.

The shirt will make him look bigger but I think his build is pretty much the same. Taken 7th April:

 

[Scarecrow]

Looks the same.

 

[VanHaal'sRedArmy]

meh. Nowhere near as big as Akinfenwa.

 

[Jeffthered]

In most of his games with Everton when he scores there were loads of space ahead that he can burn some pace in it. This is inapplicable at United as we play against deep down defenders and tight spaces that needs the striker to hold up the ball rather that running towards them in free space.

This is a crucial point. At Man Utd his role and responsibilities are totally different. No longer playing for a team who spend most of the time awaiting an opportunity to counter-attack.

His game has developed, a bit. I think he needs to relax. Mature. But all this body bulk isn't required.

He needs a happy squad and I'm not sure whether this squad are happy.

 

[Carolina Red]

I remember the summer we signed Pogba and he and Lukaku were on holiday together in the states he was already fairly big.

The shirt will make him look bigger but I think his build is pretty much the same. Taken 7th April:

Dude is a frickin physical specimen

 

[Martial]

His first touch is almost as heavy as he is.

 

[Bobski]

It is something that happened with Depay, not to his benefit I would suggest. Too much muscle can make players stiff, lower their flexibility/agility, and quickness off the mark. Stamina as well.

Ronaldo had bulked up 4/5 years ago but has noticeably slimmed down, Bale had the same increase in mass, wonder if it is a factor in his injuries.

Ongoing thing for Lukaku, he has to find the weight that best suits his game.

 

[Bobski]

NFL and NBA athletes lift heavy weights for low reps focusing on power and explosion in their movements. This adds muscle mass to their frame, yes, but it also develops significant power in both upper and lower body which results in quicker acceleration, higher vertical leaps and better overall athleticism. Training and getting bigger isn't the issue. The issue is professional athletes training purely for hypertrophy and muscle mass. Ronaldo squats, bench presses, deadlifts and all the big movements with heavy weights. It maintains his speed, rather than hinders him. It depends how you train.

Yes, also true however that every sport develops the type of athletes best suited to the demands of the sport, in football that has tended to be lean, agile types with high levels of stamina. Ronaldo is generally listed between 82-84kg, and is considered one of the most impressive athletes to play the game. Look at someone like Steph Curry in the NBA, 86kg, same height as Ronaldo and is quite small(in weight) compared to even his direct peers at guard. Westbrook 92 kg, Wall 95kg, Irving 88kg, Lillard 88kg.

 

[Bwuk]

It is something that happened with Depay, not to his benefit I would suggest. Too much muscle can make players stiff, lower their flexibility/agility, and quickness off the mark. Stamina as well.

Ronaldo had bulked up 4/5 years ago but has noticeably slimmed down, Bale had the same increase in mass, wonder if it is a factor in his injuries.

Ongoing thing for Lukaku, he has to find the weight that best suits his game.

I’m fairly certain we’ll have top strength and conditioning coaches developing Lukakus plan for the gym.

Depay had the same thing.

 

[Carolina Red]

I’m fairly certain we’ll have top strength and conditioning coaches developing Lukakus plan for the gym.

Depay had the same thing.

Yep. It’s not like these guys are just randomly lifting at the gym.

World class strength and conditioning coaches are setting up their workout routines for them.

 

[UnrelatedPsuedo]

Why does the nonsensical notion that having bigger muscles makes you less explosive, still exist? It's among the stupidest things anyone can believe.

 

[DanNistelrooy]

I thought the same thing when I watched the 100 Club yesterday’s, he’s definitely bulked up but I don’t think it’s affected his pace too much.

 

[Bobski]

I’m fairly certain we’ll have top strength and conditioning coaches developing Lukakus plan for the gym.

Depay had the same thing.

Depay had, according to him, gained 5kg of muscle mass by the November of his first year at Utd. It seemed to effect his stamina and his dribbling ability. That is a lot in 4/5 months, especially in a skill sport.

Valencia as another example, if you looks at pics/vid of him in his first season he is less developed in the upper body and shoulders. Actually painful to watch how quick, agile and aggressive he is in taking a man on compared to the latter days incarnation. Age and injury play a part of course.

 

[lewwoo]

He has always been a unit plus getting older. Happens to the best of us.

 

[villain]

Why does the nonsensical notion that having bigger muscles makes you less explosive, still exist? It's among the stupidest things anyone can believe.

True. It's like they've never watched American football.

 

[Bwuk]

Depay had, according to him, gained 5kg of muscle mass by the November of his first year at Utd. It seemed to effect his stamina and his dribbling ability. That is a lot in 4/5 months, especially in a skill sport.

Valencia as another example, if you looks at pics/vid of him in his first season he is less developed in the upper body and shoulders. Actually painful to watch how quick, agile and aggressive he is in taking a man on compared to the latter days incarnation. Age and injury play a part of course.

The players get weighed constantly, and monitored. Do you think if the club wasn't ok with Memphis putting on weight they wouldn't of said something?

 

[Bwuk]

Why does the nonsensical notion that having bigger muscles makes you less explosive, still exist? It's among the stupidest things anyone can believe.

Because the majority of people have never lifted a weight in their life and don't have a clue what they are talking about.

 

[wythyred]

Because the majority of people have never lifted a weight in their life and don't have a clue what they are talking about.

You clearly don't know what your talking about.

For a start not one person said that additional muscle mass makes someone less explosive.

The key point in this is that he looks bigger and in which case will be heavier and if he's heavier he will move slower especially off the mark. (Simple Science)


If you look back and watch the footage of him there is a clear difference in the way he moves ands looks.

 

[SirAF]

He has bulked up but he was also a kid then. This looks a bit more normal than say Chicharito who seemed to put on almost an awkward amount of muscle.

Been a couple times this season where Lukaku has put the burners on so I think he’s fine. But I do get where your concern is coming from - a lot of this aesthetics lifting / bulking has become more mainstream. I wonder if there’s any influence there for some of these younger athletes. It may seem obviosu, but I recall Beckham talking about it years ago - wanting to bulk up but noticing a drop in his athletic (football ) ability and cutting down focus on being lean etc

He did? I just remember him being wee.

 

[Bwuk]

You clearly don't know what your talking about.

For a start not one person said that additional muscle mass makes someone less explosive.

The key point in this is that he looks bigger and in which case will be heavier and if he's heavier he will move slower especially off the mark. (Simple Science)


If you look back and watch the footage of him there is a clear difference in the way he moves ands looks.

"Simple Science"

Look at how the top 100m sprinters are built. According to this; https://www.rankings.com/sports-track-sprinters/

The top 3 are Usain Bolt, Tyson Gay and Asafa Powell.

They are all very muscular and lean. Doesn't seem to impact them, or make them slower off the mark.

Simple Science indeed. If our world class strength and conditioning coaches thought Lukakus size was an issue he wouldn't be the size he is. Also, bolded is a complete contradiction.

 

[Andersons Dietician]

The key point in this is that he looks bigger and in which case will be heavier and if he's heavier he will move slower especially off the mark. (Simple Science)

Depends if he has a lot of twitch fibre, then he’s going to be explosive. Obviously the more force you can put behind a lighter weight the more acceleration it should have but there has to be a balance. He’s talked about his workouts before the start of the season and he has said it’s mostly plyometric circuit stuff. But having muscle helps with stability, balance and how you can transfer that power. Flexibility is something you have to train, just because you’re lean doesn’t mean you are flexible or even agile. Understanding your bodies dynamics and having the strength and power to control it help massively.

Anyway he’s deployed differently at United compared to Everton. He was afforded more space at Everton and the way they played suited him. Here he plays more like a point forward, which I wouldn’t necessarily say suits him, but he is getting better at doing that. Kinda wish he’d play more like his Everton days but that would mean the team having to change what it does currently.

 

[FrantikChicken]

"Simple Science"

Look at how the top 100m sprinters are built. According to this; https://www.rankings.com/sports-track-sprinters/

The top 3 are Usain Bolt, Tyson Gay and Asafa Powell.

They are all very muscular and lean. Doesn't seem to impact them, or make them slower off the mark.

Simple Science indeed. If our world class strength and conditioning coaches thought Lukakus size was an issue he wouldn't be the size he is. Also, bolded is a complete contradiction.

Seriously. Lukaku and Bolt are just about the same size.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

You clearly don't know what your talking about.

For a start not one person said that additional muscle mass makes someone less explosive.

The key point in this is that he looks bigger and in which case will be heavier and if he's heavier he will move slower especially off the mark. (Simple Science)


If you look back and watch the footage of him there is a clear difference in the way he moves ands looks.

If the additional weight was a few bricks strapped to his back then, sure, the science is simple. If the additional weight is muscle, which gives him more explosive power in his legs and upper body, then suddenly the science isn't so simple after all.

 

[Openshaw53]

If I was him i would forget about the gym and practice every day by kicking the ball against the wall and controlling the rebound over and over again.

Then when he has mastered that get someone to throw the ball in the air to him and practice jumping and heading it back over and over again.

 

[noodlehair]

If the additional weight was a few bricks strapped to his back then, sure, the science is simple. If the additional weight is muscle, which gives him more explosive power in his legs and upper body, then suddenly the science isn't so simple after all.

Someone should explain this simple science to Olympic sprinters. They've all been unnecessarily carrying all this muscle weight all these years which has apparently been slowing them down and making them less quick off the mark.

What it surely does do though is cause him to burn energy quicker during the course of the game. I think there's been plenty of games where his movement/sharpness has noticeably tailed off towards the end...but there have definitely been other games where his physicality coupled with his speed has allowed him to bully opposition centrebacks.

Give and take. I didn't watch him enough at Everton to know what he's gained or lost since then, but the general conception from people is that he's improved this season.

 

[KirkDuyt]

I like this one

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Someone should explain this simple science to Olympic sprinters. They've all been unnecessarily carrying all this muscle weight all these years which has apparently been slowing them down and making them less quick off the mark.

What it surely does do though is cause him to burn energy quicker during the course of the game. I think there's been plenty of games where his movement/sharpness has noticeably tailed off towards the end...but there have definitely been other games where his physicality coupled with his speed has allowed him to bully opposition centrebacks.

Give and take. I didn't watch him enough at Everton to know what he's gained or lost since then, but the general conception from people is that he's improved this season.

When we signed him someone posted stats from his last season in Everton which had him down as covering less distance than any other player in the league (little did we know at the time, this would make him a perfect fit with all the other lazy turds in our team!) but he seems to be working, if anything, harder since he started at United. So if he has put on muscle it doesn’t seem to have any adverse effects.

 

[sunama]

I am not sure what this obsession with "bulk" is.
This is not boxing, rugby or WWE. This is football.
The most important athletic attribute is the ability to run for 90 minutes (or longer), at high intensity.
And lets not forget the skill aspect. The ability to use one's brain to read the game.
Personally, I think the best attackers are thin/lean/light, with the ability to turn and accelerate quickly.